No student shall engage in or be subjected to harassment, violence, threats of violence, or intimidation by any other student that is based on any of the specific characteristics that have been identified by the Board in this policy. Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.

Section 2. Definitions.

(a) The term “harassment” as used in this policy means a continuous pattern of intentional behavior that takes place on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function including, but not limited to, written, electronic, verbal, or physical acts that are reasonably perceived as being motivated by any characteristic of a student, or by the association of a student with an individual who has a particular characteristic, if the characteristic falls into one of the categories of personal characteristics set forth in Section 3(b) below. To constitute harassment, a pattern of behavior may do any of the following:

Place a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property.

Have the effect of substantially interfering with the educ
ational performance, opportunities, or benefits of a student.

Have the effect of substantially disrupting or interfering with the orderly operation of the school.

Have the effect of creating a hostile environment in the school, on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function.

Have the effect of being sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.

(b) The term “violence” as used in this policy means the infliction of physical force by a student with the intent to cause injury to another student or damage to the property of another student.

(c) The term “threat of violence” as used in this policy means an expression of intention to inflict injury or damage that is made by a student and directed to another student.

(d) The term “intimidation” as used in this policy means a threat or other action that is intended to cause fear or apprehension in a student, especially for the purpose of coercing or deterring the student from participating in or taking advantage of any school program, benefit, activity or opportunity for which the student is or would be eligible.

(e) The term “student” as used in this policy means a student who is enrolled in the Vestavia Hills City school system.

To read the full policy statement for Vestavia Hills City Schools, click below: